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Completed

NCT Number: NCT03683979

The Impact of Interpretation Bias Modification Training on Anger and Reactive Aggression

Difficulties with anger control are reported in a number of psychological conditions and are associated with social problems, such as dating violence and workplace violence. High trait anger is a personality construct characterized by elevations in the frequency, duration, and intensity of anger episodes. However, the cognitive processes contributing to high trait anger are still poorly understood. This study will examine the effectiveness of a computer-based cognitive bias modification (CBM) program designed to target hostile interpretations associated with high trait anger.

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Key information

Conditions

Anger

Age range

18 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Ryerson University

Toronto, Ontario, M5B 2K3, Canada

About this study

High trait anger is a personality construct characterized by elevations in the frequency, duration, and intensity of anger episodes. According to the Integrative Cognitive Model (ICM) of anger, three cognitive processes jointly contribute to an individual's level of trait anger and reactive aggression: hostile attributions, ruminative attention, and effortful control processes. Specifically, individuals high in trait anger are more prone to interpret ambiguous situations as hostile; are more likely to ruminate about anger-related events; and have a more limited capacity to employ control processes when they become angry.

One means of evaluating unconscious biases that has become increasingly popular is cognitive bias modification (CBM). CBM programs are computerized training paradigms, which aim to train more adaptive cognitive biases by repeatedly exposing participants to an experimental contingency between an emotional stimulus and a response.Previous researchers have begun to investigate the impact of CBMs targeting cognitive control and hostile attribution bias in relation to anger. However, these studies have been conducted exclusively in samples reporting low trait anger.

This study will examine the effectiveness of a short-term interpretation bias modification program (CBM-I) on hostile attribution biases and reactive aggression in a sample of undergraduate students eporting high trait anger.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Students scoring 22 or higher on the Trait Anger Scale.

Exclusion criteria

  • Reports currently receiving psychological treatment or counseling for anger.
  • Reports changes in psychiatric medication within the last month.
  • Endorsement of current psychosis or bipolar disorder symptoms.
  • Indicates poor English language proficiency.

Treatment and study plan

Interpretation Bias Modification

Behavioral

A computer based interpretation bias modification program that aims to reinforce neutral interpretations of ambiguous social situations.

Control Training Program

Behavioral

A sham training program that is similar in design and delivery to the experimental training condition.

Primary outcomes

  1. State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory 2nd Edition

    Time frame: Administered two times over the course of one week. Changes will be examined from visit 1 (before CBM training program) to visit 2 (after CBM training program).

    A self-report measure of the experience of anger.

  2. Interpretation Bias Assessment

    Time frame: Administered two times over the course of one week. Changes will be examined from visit 1 (before CBM training program) to visit 2 (after CBM training program).

    A computer-based measure of hostile interpretation bias involving ambiguous social scenarios.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Anger Rumination Scale

    Time frame: Administered two times over the course of one week. Changes will be examined from visit 1 (before CBM training program) to visit 2 (after CBM training program).

    A self-report measure of the degree to individuals focus on experiences with anger. The scale is comprised of four subscales, angry after thoughts (e.g., "Whenever I experience anger, I keep thinking about it for a while"), angry memories (e.g., "I re-enact the anger episode in my mind after it has happened"), understanding causes (e.g., "When someone provokes me, I keep wondering why this should have happened to me"), and thoughts of revenge (e.g. "I have difficulty forgiving people who have hurt me."). Participants will be asked to read each item and rate it in terms of how well it reflects their experience on a 4-point scale from 1 ("almost never") to 4 ("almost always"). Totals for each sub scale will be summed to produce a total score (range: 19-76), with higher scores indicating a greater propensity for rumination.

  2. Social Information Processing-Attribution and Emotional Response Questionnaire

    Time frame: Administered two times over the course of one week. Changes will be examined from visit 1 (before CBM training program) to visit 2 (after CBM training program).

    A self-report measure of evaluate social information processing biases associated with hostile attribution bias.

  3. Word Sentence Association Paradigm-Hostility

    Time frame: Administered two times over the course of one week. Changes will be examined from visit 1 (before CBM training program) to visit 2 (after CBM training program).

    A behavioural measure of hostile attribution biases involving hostile and non-hostile words.

  4. Depression and Anxiety Stress Scale-21

    Time frame: Administered two times over the course of one week. Changes will be examined from visit 1 (before CBM training program) to visit 2 (after CBM training program).

    A self-report measure of depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms. A self-report measure of depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms.Items are summed for each subscale to create subscale totals (i.e., depression, anxiety, and stress), with higher scores reflecting more severe emotional distress. Symptom score ranges include: normal (0-4), mild (5-6), moderate (7-10), severe (11-13), and extremely severe (14+).

  5. Dot Probe

    Time frame: Administered two times over the course of one week. Changes will be examined from visit 1 (before CBM training program) to visit 2 (after CBM training program).

    A behavioural measure of attentional bias towards angry faces.

  6. Reactive-Proactive Aggression Questionnaire

    Time frame: Administered two times over the course of one week. Changes will be examined from visit 1 (before CBM training program) to visit 2 (after CBM training program).

    A self-report measure of an individual's propensity for reactive aggression.

  7. Taylor Aggression Paradigm

    Time frame: Administered one time over the course of one week. Participants will be exposed to the paradigm following the second training session.

    A behavioural measure of reactive aggression.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Toronto Metropolitan University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

An Investigation of the Short-term Impact of Interpretation Bias Modification Training on Anger Symptoms, Reactive Aggression, and Attentional Biases Toward Anger-related Stimuli

Important dates

Study start
2019
Primary completion
2020
Study completion
2020
First posted
Sep 25, 2018
Registry last updated
Mar 24, 2020

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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